The National Protected Areas Order 2014, created seven new protected areas so as to conserve Ascension’s wild and plant life, including the Island’s endemic species. The six new Nature Reserves and one new Sanctuary, in addition to Green Mountain National Park, mean that 20% Ascension’s land is protected by measures for mitigating threats to vulnerable species. Ascension’s three main turtle nesting beaches, which support up to 25,000 nests every year, are now protected, as are Letterbox Peninsula, Waterside Fairs and Boatswain Bird Island. The latter three sites are home to greater than 800,000 nesting seabirds. |